Government of Canada Creates Two Foreign Trade Zones in Alberta

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - June 2, 2015) - Western Economic Diversification Canada

Today, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced the creation of two 'single-window' Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Points in the province of Alberta, to strengthen the region's international trade capacity.

Port Alberta, which serves the Edmonton region, and the Calgary Region Inland Port, will assist in leveraging the province's role as a hub for international transportation, manufacturing, and distribution. By designating the new FTZ Points for Port Alberta and Calgary Region Inland Port, national and international companies will now have faster and more efficient access to markets in Western Canada and beyond.

Quick Facts

• An FTZ Point is a strategic location identified for international trade and foreign direct investment which is uniquely supported by a single-point of access to information on relevant government policies and programs.
• Improving trade corridors of importance to Western Canada will support the flow of goods, services, and people into and out of the region to strengthen access to key global markets.
• Alberta offers a strategic location to markets in Western Canada and provides a competitive tax jurisdiction for business, as well as a skilled workforce for warehousing, distribution and transportation.
• Canada's first FTZ Point, CentrePort Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been successful in offering investors single-window access to FTZ benefits, and connecting major national and international trade gateways and corridors.

Quotes

"Our Government has made expanding trade opportunities a key part of our plan for jobs and economic growth. By creating these two single-window Foreign Trade Zones in Calgary and Edmonton we are strengthening the West's competitive capacity and helping companies reach new markets."

• The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

"The announcement of Foreign Trade Zone designation is an important element needed to strengthen, promote and grow the logistics, transportation and manufacturing sectors in the Calgary Region and across Alberta. Along with our partners, Calgary Regional Partnership and the Calgary Logistics Council, we firmly believe that having the FTZ designation further enhances the competitiveness and efficiency of the Calgary Region Inland Port, and solidifies Alberta's position as a Western Canadian distribution hub."

• Steve Allan, Chairman of the Board, Calgary Economic Development

"Through a Foreign Trade Zone, companies involved in goods movement and trade can reduce their total landed cost, such as inventory costs, for delivering products to their customers. Alberta provides a cost advantage for companies looking to ship their goods across the country by having the most competitive total landed cost in Western Canada."

• Colleen Shepherd, Executive Director, Calgary Regional Partnership

"The new Foreign Trade Zones in Alberta will help companies involved in value-added work become more globally competitive and drive new trade opportunities. In partnership with Edmonton International Airport (EIA), Leduc County and Enterprise Edmonton, Port Alberta welcomes the opportunity to support regional, provincial, national and international companies to realize the competitive growth benefits of Canada's FTZ advantages."

• Brad Ferguson, President and CEO, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation

"Today's announcement boosts Alberta's ability to integrate transportation assets with major sectors such as agriculture, energy, health sciences and manufacturing, enhancing the province's prosperity and economic diversification."

• Tom Ruth, President and CEO, Edmonton International Airport

Additional Links

Calgary Regional Partnership

Calgary Economic Development

Enterprise Edmonton

Edmonton International Airport

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